On-campus Sexual Assault Statistics Head to Head

In recent months, U.S. colleges have come under heavy scrutiny regarding sexual assault. University crimes in every category have decreased, but the number of reported on-campus sexual assaults across the U.S. has not followed suit and is up 50% over the course of the last decade.

A 2014 report released by the U.S. government revealed a chilling fact:

In light of the increasing numbers, EDsmart staff thought it would be interesting to see the statistical differences between Princeton Reviews top-ranked schools versus their counterparts in terms of reported sexual assaults of each. The findings were a bit alarming for some of the school types. All data for this study can be found at the bottom of this study in the “Data Sets” section. All data comes from Princeton Review and College Navigator.

Along with this study, we have included other college sexual assault stats that deal with or are related to college sexual assault.

versus 41% of other non-sorority students

“Red Zone”

October

Other High Risk Factors According to Recent Government Study

Numerous sexual partners

Women who report having more sexual partners since entering college are more likely to experience forced sexual assault.

Freshman or sophomore status

The first two years of college are the highest risk years, and the first few months of the school year are the highest risk time of the year.

Day of the week

More than half of sexual assaults take place on weekends. More than half occur between midnight and 6 a.m.

Off-campus parties

More than half of sexual assaults against college women take place in off-campus settings. More than half of the women who reported incapacitated sexual assault said they were at a party when the incident took place.

Physically forced sexual assault (no drugs or alcohol involved). Women on college campuses are more likely to be victims if they:

Experienced physically forced sexual assault before entering college.

Have experienced dating violence since entering college.

Are Hispanic (compared to white non-Hispanics).

Have had more dating partners since entering college.

Incapacitated sexual assault. For the survey, the researchers used a broad definition of “incapacitated” that included being drunk, under the influence of drugs, passed out, asleep or otherwise incapacitated. Women on campuses are more likely to be victims of incapacitated sexual assault if they:

Experienced incapacitated sexual assault before entering college.

Have experienced dating violence since entering college.

Have ever been given a drug without their consent since entering college.